Brussels, 24/07/2002 (Agence Europe) - US Secretary of State Colin Powell, whose intervention requested by Morocco allowed the crisis of Perejil island to be resolved, gave his "interpretation" of the agreement on Monday in a letter to the Spanish Minister for European Affairs, Ana Palacio. In his view, it is above all a question of "restoring and maintaining the situation regarding the island that existed prior to July 2002. This includes the withdrawal and absence of all military forces and government officials, whether uniformed or not, from the island, and the removal and absence of all outposts and flags or other symbols of sovereignty from the island". Colin Powell continued by saying that "the two sides will also arrange for future discussions on steps to improve bilateral relations". Both countries must also undertake to resolve any differences "solely through peaceful means" and "will adopt a constructive public posture".
Ana Palacio, who was in Brussels on Tuesday for ceremonies marking the end of the ECSC (see other article), insisted on the fact that discussions only concerned the islet of Perejil and only a return to status quo ante. "The European flag is the defence of rights and principles", she said, and "it has once again shown why we have created Europe", said Ana Palacio after having received the support of High Representative Javier Solana and Commission President Romano Prodi over the Perejil island affair.